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Darwin Nunez’s move to Saudi Arabia was supposed to be the next chapter for the Uruguayan, a fresh start away from the scrutiny of Anfield and a chance to reset after a frustrating final season at Liverpool. Less than 12 months on, however, the experiment has all but unravelled.
The Uruguay international departed Liverpool last August for an initial £46m, representing a significant loss on the £64m fee the Reds paid to sign him from Benfica in the summer of 2022.
The 26-year-old started life in Riyadh brightly enough, but the January arrival of Karim Benzema forced Al-Hilal into a corner.
Saudi Pro League regulations only allow clubs to register eight foreign players born before 2003 within their 25-man squads, and Nunez was the casualty.
That stalemate has now produced a resolution. Local reports from Uruguay claimed this week that the former Liverpool striker already has an agreement with Al-Hilal to leave the club in the summer.
Predictably, news of Nunez’s availability has reignited interest in the Premier League.
The Chronicle report that Newcastle United would be interested in taking Nunez should the agreement with Al-Hilal allow him to depart on a free transfer.
The Magpies’ admiration for the Uruguayan is nothing new; they were reportedly prepared to break their transfer record to sign him from Benfica back in 2022, and continued to monitor him throughout his Liverpool stint.
Despite the heavy outlay on Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa last summer, Newcastle remain inconsistent in the final third. Both Woltemade and Wissa have already been linked with exits this summer, so a move for Nunez would make sense for the Magpies.
Additionally, talkSPORT also reported this week that Nunez would be open to a return to the Premier League.
For Liverpool supporters, it’s a strange subplot to keep one eye on. Nunez never quite delivered the consistency Anfield demanded during his three years on Merseyside, but the idea of him lining up against the Reds in a Newcastle, Chelsea or any other Premier League shirt next season would certainly feel weird.